EASTER LIUES 



CLARA m. \N\LUAMmQH 



EASTER LILIES 



By 



Clara M. Williamson 




1907 
Palfre3'-Rood-Pursell Co. 
New Orleans La. 



Ltd. 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

APR i : 1907 

c, CopyriffM Entry 
GUSS A XXc., No. 
COPY B. 






To My Daughter 

MABEL HELENE WILLIAMSON, 

these verses 

are lovingly inscribed. 



CONTENTS 



Kaster lyilies 
Lift Up Thine Eyes 
Apple Blossoms 
Spring- 
Memories 
Rosemary 
My Mother 

Sans Peur, Et Sans Reproche 
A Winsome I^assie 
Indian Summer 
Dolce Far Niente 
Mammy 

Dare To Be True 
Autumn 
November 
Patience 
White Camelias 
Carnival Times 
A Flower Maiden 
Golden-Rod 
A Thoug-ht 
Optimism 
A Wondrous Dawn 
Higher Ideals 
Mother Eove 
A Summer Nig-ht 
The Pansy 
Friendship 
Twilig-ht 
The Promise 
Melody 
Be Charitable 
Choral Symphony 



EASTER LILIES. 
An Easter CaroL 

Bring pure white lilies — Easter lilies, 
For Christ our Lord is risen to-day, 

He has burst his bonds asunder. 
Angels rolled the stone away. 

Alleluia shout Hosannas, 
Jesus Christ is risen to-day. 

Bring lustrous lilies — Easter lilies. 

This triumphant Holy-day, 
He has robbed death of its terrors, 

And reigns o'er us this Easter-day, 
Alleluia shout Hosannas, 

Jesus Christ is risen to-day. 

Bring fair sweet lilies — Easter lilies. 
Scatter them where'er you may, 

For He is risen — He is risen, 

There's joy in Heaven and earth to-day 

Alleluia shout Hosannas, 
Jesus Christ is risen to-day. 



There is a quiet spirit in the woods 

That dwells where'er the gentle south-wind blows. 

That spirit moves 
In the green valley, where the silver brook 
From its full laver, pours the white cascade 
And babling low amid the tangled woods 
Slip down through moss-grown stones 
With endless laughter. 

The Spirit of Poetry, Longfellow- 



LIFT UP THINE EYES. 

Lift up thine eyes, unto the hills 

All clothed in living green. 
Give thanks, to Him who made them, 

And reigns o'er all Supreme. 

Lift up thine eyes, unto the skies, 

O Ye, who seek the light, 
Behold — the glory of the Lord, 

In all its power and might. 

Lift up thine eyes, O doubting one, 

And know that God is love. 
Trust Him — He'll guide thee safely home 

Like Noah's w^earv Dove. 



APPLE-BLOSSOMS. 

The tender greening. 
Of April meadows. 

Keats.- 

The Apple-trees are blooming. 

And the Orchard is all a-glow, 
With the dainty creamy petals 

That Spring-winds toss to and fro. 

On mossy banks, — in green nooks they heap 
Soft drifts of frosted rose and cream. 

And the scent of Apple-Blossoms is every where 
My heart is filled with rapture at the beauteous 
scene . 



The April sun is shining. 

Kissing the earth with gladsome rays, 
And I wander through green meadows 

Thinking of the old glad days. 

I can see the happy faces 

Of youths and maidens, neath the trees, 
And hear their merry laughter ringing 

Out on the balmy perfumed breeze. 

A harsh wind blows, the Apple-Blossoms fall 

From the gnarled boughs, a Sky-Lark trills its lay 

Fainter and fainter their youthful voices sound, 

Farther and farther my thoughts are borne away. 



SPRING. 

The sunshine of Spring is everywhere 
Flooding the world with beauty rare 
The season of all, to lovers most fair 
Gentle balmy Spring . 

The Clover-Blossoms o'er the fields are spread, 
So daintily sweet that we fear to tread, 
On them, lest we might crush them dead. 
In gentle balmy Spring. 

In the Valley gentle as a dream. 
Cool with tree shadows, and dewy grass so green, 
And rippling softly, a limpid stream, 
A symphony of Spring. 

Out of the sweetness of the calm Spring night, 
Comes the odor of Orange-Blossoms white. 
Recalling loved memories of a day so bright, 
In gentle balmy Spring. 



MEMORIES. 

At even-tide, when the sun is low, 

I wander amid famihar scenes, 
And memory dwells on the long-ago- 

\Mien life seemed made of happy dreams 
The school-house, b}- the rippling brook. 

The merry children round the door. 
Are playing as we did, "Dear Heart," 

In those happy days of yore. 

The old Church-sj^ire amid the trees, 

The bell chimes just as sweet. 
As when we roamed the woodland path 

With childish footsteps fleet. 
All seem unchanged — save you and I, 

And we've grown old together. 
As down the path of life we've gone 

In fair or stormv weather. 



10 



ROSEMARY. 

• The emblem of Rosemary is remembrance. 

The Language of Floivers. 

A letter came to me one day. 

From a clear old friend of long-ago, 
'Twas like a bright and sunny ray, 

For I've always loved her so. 

I found within its dainty folds 

A sprig of Rosemary, so sweet. 
My thoughts flew back, a score of years 

To an old fashioned garden in a Village-street. 

Where Rosemary, and Violets blue. 

Sweet- Peas, and Roses rare. 
Hearts Ease, and fragrant Mignonette 

Perfumed the balmy air. 

'Twas like a breath from the far off past 
Wafting me back to those days of yore, 

For Rosemary brings remembrance 
Of dear ones that are no more. 



11 



. 



Coleridge — 



MY MOTHER. 

A mother is a mother still, 
The holiest thing alive. 

Amid the sweet memories of the past, 
One that will keep me forever steadfast. 
One that will cling to me while life lasts, 
'Tis the memory of 

Mv Mother. 



I can see her now as she lay so quiet 

In the last long sleep, hands clasping roses white, 

There seemed a halo shining bright 

Encircling the brow of 

My Mother. 

And when the Master calls for me- 
And I have crossed that unknown sea 
I know the face that will first smile on me 
Will be the dear face of 

My Mother. 



12 



SANS PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE. 

A man there was, and his lot was cast 

Among the lowly of the land, 
He labored faithful until the last 

Sans Feur Et Sans Reproche. 

A man there was, and his life was true 

For he never shirked a duty. 
But gave to each what was his due 

Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche. 

A man there was, and his deeds are known, 
Humble though deserving a crown, 

Bearing his fate patiently and alone. 
Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche. 



13 



A WINSOME LASSIE. 

The fairest Lassie, in the town 

With golden curls, and eyes of brown, 

Always smiling — ne'er a frown, 

Witching Leonora. 

Her dimpled cheeks are all aglow 
With roseate tints that come and go 
And cherry lips that tempt one so 
Fairy Leonora. 

A w^insome lassie — a sunny ray 
Merrily passing the time away 
May her life be as bright as a summer day 
Daintv Leonora. 



14 



INDIAN SUMMER. 

O golden Indian Summer, 

The harvest-time of the year, 
In all thy radient coloring 

How brilliant thou do'st appear. 
The Maples are red in the Valley, 

The fields of yellowing grain. 
The harvesters on their home-ward way 

Are chanting a sweet refrain. 

The meadows are fragrant with new-mown hay, 

'Mid the Pines the wild-bird calls, 
The harvest-moon with lambent rays 

Beams resplendent over all. 
And Peace, and her Sister Plenty, 

Proclaim that thou art here, 
O glorious Indian Summer, 

The halcvon time of the vear. 



15 



DOLCE FAR XIEXTE. 

I long to be near to Xature's heart. 
Away from the bustle and din of the mart. 
Under the cool green shadowy trees 
There I would leisurely take my ease, 
No sound save the Larks sweet joyous song 
And the murmuring brook as it ripples along, 
Natures own Melodies — Idleness sweet. 
These are the things that make life complete. 
On a torrid Alid-summer day. 



16 



"MAMMY.." 

Only an old bent Negress, 

With a face as black as coal. 
And a heart full of love for her "white-folks" 

A simple, guileless, soul. 
She sits by the old stone wall. 

With her basket of Pralines near her. 
And chatters and sings all day long. 

For she thinks that the angels hear her. 

"No, I neva' was a fier-han', 

i grow'd up in de "wdiite-folks" house, 
I uster be ole Mistus lil' waitin'-maid 

An had ter be as lively as er mouse. 
She was as good to me as her own HI' Gal, 

She larned me to read an to write. 
An made me go to meetin' on the Sabbat'-day 

An say ma pra'rs ebery night. 

I tink all de time ob dem good ole days 

An' wish't dat I was dar, 
A-waiting on my deah ole Mistus, 

Lak I uster "befo' de Wah." 
But ole Mistus is an Angel in Heben, 

An' I'm waitin' de Saviour's call,^ 
For dese ole bones is sure moughty taid, 

An' I knows I soon'U fall. 

Safe in de ahms ob ma Jesus, 

'Wav foem all trubble an' pain, 
I'll be up in Heben wit ole Mistus, 

An' be her lil' waitin'-maid again." 
Having finished her chat, old Mammy arose, 

And homeward plodded her weary way ^ 
With her head held high, and her eyes so bright, 

For she had been talking to the Angels all day. 
17 



DARE TO BE TRUE. 

Dare to be true 

Never deceiving 
Dare to do right 

Ever believing 
In leading a true life 
Christ be your architect 
HE will lead you aright 
Guide and protect. 

Dare to be true 

Unto each other 
Dare to do right 

Eor Christ is your brother, 
And he will take care of you 
Ever watch over you 
And safely guide you 
Into His fold. 



I 



18 



AUTUMN. 

O brilliant, gaudy, Autumn, 

Queen season of the year, 
With mellowing tints on bush and tree, 

And days that are always clear. 

The wood-lands are all a-glow, 

With crimson, tan and russet-brown, 

And Golden Rod waves its feathery spikes 
O'er hill and breezy down. 

The new-mown hay in the meadows near-by, 
Exhales its fragrance on the calm still night, 

And a Mocking-Bird trills merrily. 

Singing and twittering in sheer delight. 

And out of the night there seems to come, 

A familiar spirit through the air. 
O'er billowy hills it waves its magic wand. 

The Color-Spirit is everywhere. 



19 



NOVEMBER. 

'Tis clamp, gray, cheerless, November, 
And the woods are brown and sere, 

The wind is blowing in fitfnl gusts, 
And the day is dark and drear. 

The rain is pattering down on the roof, 
Faster and faster in torrents it dashes, 

\Miile sullen Thunder booms and rumbles, 
And o'er the earth vivid Lightning flashes. 

Tiny pools stand 'neath the trees, 
On lawn and meadow and bosky dell. 

The garden paths are green with mold. 

And ^^'inter has rung Autimm's death-knell 



20 



PATIENCE. 

Oh weary one be patient 

And await the last great call, 

From him who is Omnipotent 
And is merciful unto all. 

Nor think of pain or sorrow 
Or days of ceaseless care, 

But only wait with patience 

For that day so bright and fair. 

When thou shalt see Him smiling 
On thee with tenderest love, 

And saying "Thou hast been patient 
Come seek thy rest above." 



21 



WHITE C AMELIAS. 



Blossoms rare at Christmas-tide 

A message brought to me. 
Of "Peace on earth" good will to men 

And Christian Charity. 

Camelias white and waxen. 
Spotless and pure as He. 
Who suffered and died that we mis^ht live 



For all Eternity 



22 



CARNIVAL-TIME. 

Oh, the happy joyous Carnival-time, 
With all of its glitter and glee, 

When Rex sits on his throne so fine. 
And rules o'er land and sea. 

Where roses bloom all the year 'round 
And south-winds blow soft and sweet. 

And Carnival-bells gayly sound 
On the crowded City streets. 

When every one is happy and care- free 

And simply on pleasure bent, 
And over all there seems to be 

The spirit of sweet Content. 

Then Ho ! for the merry Carnival-time 

The time of pure delight, 
With its Pageants all in a glittering line " 

Transforming all the night. 

Then here's to the joys of Carnival-time, 
And here's to Rex and his Queen, 

And here's to the Visions that vanish 
Just like a beautiful dream . 



23 



A FLOWER MAIDEN. 

Oh maiden fair with eyes so true 
Thou art Hke unto a flower, 

A sweet wild-rose untrammelcd free 
Pkicked from a wood-land bower. 

Again thou art like a A'iolet 

So modest and so shy, 
Demurely passing on thy way, 

A delight unto the eye. 

Oft-times thou art like a red, red, rose 
That gaily blooms in May, 

A very queen of maidens, 

Thou reign'st in my heart alway. 



24 



GOLDEN-ROD. 

Across the meadows the Golden-Rod, 

Is flaunting its spikes of gold. 
O'er hill, and vale and briery dell 

There is a magic beauty untold. 

And brilliant Autumn reigns over all 

With its crmson and tan and russet-brown, 

And the golden fields are a glory. 

And Mother Earth wears a golden crown. 

The woods are all running riot 

With colors so rich and warm. 
The days are bright and the skies are blue. 

Over all is a mystical charm. 

Low ridge, and brooklets side, 

Are brilliant with Golden-Rod so gay. 

And shafts of gold, so feathery and light 
Glitter and gleam in the morning's ray. 



A THOUGHT. 

A little while and then the Dawn 
Of that new day, that now seems 

So far — so far away. 

After the Dawn, the Sunset. 

Then the lowering of the Night-clouds 
And all is, "Peace, perfect Peace." 



26 



OPTIMISM. 

There are days when the heart grows weary, 
But we must ever look on the bright side, 

And though hfe may seem dull and dreary, 
God's love is enduring and wide. 

Why waste time in useless repining? 

Who cares if we are happy or sad? 
Though the sun may not always be shining, 

Let us give thanks unto God and be glad 

For life with its joys and its sadness, 

For our dear ones, who mean for us home, 

For all the bright hours of pure gladness. 
And the morrow which is vet to come. 



27 



A WONDROUS DAWN. 

Just at the dawn of a Summer day 
A rain-bow spanned the Heavens blue, 

And the tints of morn were mingled 
With colors of radiant-hue. 

Then as the morn grew brighter 

The rain-bow faded awaw 
And the glory of the rising Sun 

Shone on a perfect day. 

As I gazed on that beauteous scene. 

A longing arose within me, 
That I might rise to heights supreme 

And be at rest Dear Lord with Thee. 



28 



HIGHER IDEALS. 

In the beautiful world around us, 
We look for gold — not for dross, 

But to each and every one there cometh. 
The time when we must bear our cross. 

And while we struggle manfully. 
Climbing up higher and higher. 

The weight of our cross may pull us down 
And drag us through the mire. 

But we must ever be firm — look up, 
Attaining always to higher ideals, 

And never to falter or fall by the way. 
For 'tis onlv a coward — who yields. 



29 



MOTHER LOVE. 

There lived in an old-fashioned village, 

A widow and her two boys. 
They were the life — the light of her eyes, 

In different ways they were her joys. 

One was masterful and strong, 

The other was timid and coy ; 
One was a thorough man of the world, 

The other^ a dear liome-boy. 

One was a bright and shining light, 

The other cared not a jot. 
For the world and all of its glittering shams, 

He thought home the dearest spot. 

Xow which of the two do you think 
Was the Mother's pride and joy? 

Both the one who shone in the social world, 
And the one who was just a home-boy. 

For a niother knows no difference, 

Each child has lovable traits. 
And mother-love is far reaching. 

Extending beyond the pearly gates. 



30 



A SUMAIER NIGHT. 

Over head the stars are twinkhng 
In the cloudless azure skies, 

And from out the wood a night-bird 
Blithely carols — then upward flies. 

And the moon so deep and tender 
O'er the sleeping Village beams, 
Glorifvine all it touches 



With its magic silvery sheen. 

Suddenly a cloud arises 

Loud is heard the thunders roar, 
( )'er the Earth the lightning flashes. 

Then welcome rain comes a downpour. 



31 



THE PANSY. 
(Viola tricoler) . 

Emblem- Think of Me. 

The Language of Flozvers 

There is an old fashioned flower 

So dainty, quaint and sweet. 
That we know as the garden-violet. 

Also Pansy so prim and discreet. 

Then Hearts-ease which lovers hold dear, 

For often true love it has told. 
And has made many a dark day clear 

With its velvety purple and gold. 

And lastly gay Johnnie-Tump-Up, 

Like a saucy child's face upturned, 
How wonderful is Mother Nature 

And how much from a flower can be learned. 



32 



FRIENDSHIP. 

How sweet is loyal friendship, 
'Tis like a rose without a thorn, 

When sorrow over-takes ns 

And we are beaten by the storm. 

Not only in the darkest hours. 

But in our days of joy, 
True friendship lasts forever, 

And is without alloy. 

There is a brave old adage. 

That he who runs may read, 
It comforts in affliction, for 

"A friend in need is a friend indeed.'' 



33 



TWILIGHT. 

A mist hangs low o'er the River, 
Through the trees the south-wind blows, 

'Tis the quiet twilight hour 
^^'hen all nature seeks repose. 

A bird in the top of a near-by tree. 
Is warbling his Vesper hymn. 

And we sit in sweet contentment 
As the twilight shadows grow dim. 

With never a care for the future. 
And never a thought of the past, 

But just drifting on in Elysium 

Where the days glide by all too fast. 

San Antonio, June, 1905. 



34 



THE PROMISE. 

Ask and it shall be given yon ; seek and ye shall find 
knock and it shall be opened unto you ! 

Mattkezv VII-7.— 

The way is rough, the path is steep 
That leadeth us to things supernal, 
But after all the toil and strife 
If we but gain Eternal life. 
It matters not if we are tired, 
For there is rest for every soul 
In that fair Land of pure delight. 
Where we are promised, all is well, 
And we can wander with the Blest, 
Through fields of snowy Asphodels. 



35 



MELODY. 

I heard a voice so true and sweet 
Singing a song of love Divine, 

The memory of it Hngers yet 

Within my hearts most sacred shrine 

O, voice so pure and sweet, 
O Melody complete. 

No matter where on earth I roam, 
O'er Ocean deep or world so wide, 

The memory of that Heavenly voice 
With me forever will abide, 

O, voice so pure and sweet, 
O Melody complete. 



36 



BE CHARITABLE. 

When we meet and pass each other 

On the broad highway of Life, 
We may meet some erring creature 

Who is weary of the strife, 
Do not scorn her- look at her kindly 

Be Charitable — "cast no stone." 
If she has erred — she still is human 

And shipwrecked — on Life's sea — alone. 

Passing on we meet another, 

A man who bears the marks of sin. 
Be-sotted, reckless, and degraded. 

He is foul without, and foul within. 
Perhaps he has a loving Mother 

Who had brightest hopes for him, 
But he stumbled on Life's highway. 

And fell into depths of sin. 

Ye-happy ones who are surrounded, 

With ever true and loving hearts. 
Pity those — whose feet have stumbled 

Casting them, from us-apart. 
They were made in His own image, 

Once they were as pure as He, 
Though they stumbled, fell, and groveled. 

The Master calls them "Come unto me." 



37 



CHORAL SY.MPHOXY. 

The soft sweet notes of Piano, and Violins 

And the magic tones of Flute, and Clarionet 
And the clear sweet tones of the Cornet. 

The vibrating chords of the Harp, 
With a chorus of sweet, well trained voices 

Softly and sweetly joining in, 
All these make perfect harmony, 

Leading our thoughs from earth to Heaven, 
And we think of the "Choir invisible" 

For such music must be God-given. 

January, 1907. 



38 



